christmas trinkets and traditions swap

believe it or not, christmas is just around the corner!
don't worry, i haven't forgotten about thanksgiving,
but right after that comes december and before we know it, all of the holiday traditions and festivities will quickly ensue!
bub-hub and i have a lot in common when it comes to christmas traditions, but we also have a few unique differences that i have loved hearing about and can't wait to experience. i love learning and sharing traditions with friends and my new family!
afterall, aren't family traditions what makes the holidays so special?

to celebrate these traditions, i've joined forces with my sweet friends Amy and Laura to put together the"christmas trinkets and traditions swap"!

this is a great chance to share a unique christmas tradition with someone else!  it can be anything that you feel represents one of your favorite family traditions.  maybe it's a christmas cookie recipie your family has made for years, or a christmas ornament, or a favorite holiday movie or cd. 
whatever is special to you is perfect for this swap, so sign up for the chance to learn about another family's traditions!

<center> <br><a href="http://www.gracefullymadedesigns.com/2012/11/christmastrinketsandtraditions.html"><img border="0" src="http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s393/SarahGraceChastain/christmas_Swap_button.png" /></a></center> <br> < /textarea>   send laura an email at emaillaurawick[at]gmail.com with your name, blog name, and mailing address,  and let her know you want to sign up! sign ups run through friday, november 16!   head over to laura's blog for more information!   amy, laura and i are so pumped to put this together for you guys and i hope you'll participate!

   

mmmmmm cookies! :)

prepare yourself for greatness folks.
everyone has their go-to cookie recipe and this is mine.
i may or may not be eating a few as i type...
these oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are so yummy straight out of the oven,
or for a snack the next day,
or for breakfast.
oatmeal. duh.

1 cup butter

1 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups wheat flour

3 cups old fashioned oats

1ish cup chocolate chips

[one] preheat over to 350degrees.

[two] in a large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium for about 30 seconds, then add sugars, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.

[three] once combined, mix in eggs and vanilla. 

[four] add in the flour and oats slowly and mix until completely incorporated.

[five] then, stir in the chocolate chips.

[six] using a spoon or a cookie scoop, drop the cookies onto a baking sheet about 2-3 inches apart from each other, and put in the oven.  

[seven] bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the tops are slightly browned. 

[eight] remove the cookies from the oven and place on a cooling rack or paper towels to cool.

[nine] eat 'em up!

maybe you can make a dozen or three for your sweet treat swap partner! :) you can still sign up! so do it!

a sweet start to the week

today, i have an exciting announcement!

my sweet friend amy over at taking steps home and i have decided to host a sweet treats swap!

why should kids have all the fun? amy and i decided that we wanted to have a little sweet treat action for ourselves, and we wanted to share the fun with our blog friends!

what is a sweet treat you might ask?

sweet treats can include anything you think is yummy! cookies, candy, sweet smelling goodies, or anything used to make a sweet treat!

here's what you need to do!

1. send the following information via email to gracefullymadeblog[at]gmail.com using the subject line "Sweet Treat Swap" :

name

blog name & address

email address

mailing address

favorite sweet treat

favorite thing about halloween

2. follow amy [taking steps home] and myself so you don't miss out on any updates or swap information.

3. when you receive your swap partner,  visit their blog and get to know them a little better! then, put your package together.  your swap package should cost between $10 and $15.

here is the schedule:

October 8 - swap sign up opens!

October 15 - swap partners will start being assigned

October 19 - the last day to sign up, so make sure you send in your email! 

October 25 - try to mail your package by today so it can make it to your partner in time for the link up.

October 31 - share what you got! link up with amy and me and check out what everyone received!

<center> <a href="http://www.gracefullymadedesigns.com/2012/10/SweetTreatsSwap.html"><img border="0" src="http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s393/SarahGraceChastain/SweetTreatsSwap.jpg"></a></center>

i hope you'll sign up and participate with us!

it's gonna be super fun, so sign up so you can trick-or-treat with us grown up style! :)